PRE BOARD EXAM 2017-2018

CLASS- X

MARKING SCHEME- ENGLISH (COMMUNICATIVE)

General Instructions:
Please note that the questions are numbered in continuation from 1 to 11.
(i) Marking of the entire script should be done by one examiner. All answers in all the scripts
issued to the examiner should be marked section wise.
(ii) In the marking scheme, a slash (/) indicates alternative answers; any one such answer is
counted as correct.
(iii) Brackets ( ) indicate optional information; the mark is awarded whether the part in
brackets is included or not.
(iv) If a student writes an answer which is not given in the marking scheme but which is
equally acceptable, full marks should be awarded.
(v) Students should not be penalized if they do not follow the order of the sections / questions
while answering.
(vi) In questions requiring word limit please note that no marks are to be deducted for
exceeding the word limit.
(vii) The Marking Scheme carries only suggested value points for the answers. These are
only guidelines and do not constitute the complete answers. The students can have their own
expression and if the expression is correct, marks should be awarded accordingly.

SECTION A (READING) 20 MARKS

Note : Section A tests a candidate’s ability to read and understand only, therefore, no
deductions are to be made for errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation. Marks
should be awarded if the answer can be clearly understood.
Objective: This section evaluates the reading and comprehension skills of the students
and their ability to infer and evaluate the given information.
1. SCIENCE- 8 MARKS

Objective: To identify the main points of a text

Marking: 8 marks – 1 mark for each correct answer
Answers :
a) The two wonderful inventions of science are (I) Solar Rickshaw (ii) Green phone.

b) Solar Rickshaw is eco friendly because it does not create any carbon or it is zero carbon
three wheeler.

c) Blue Earth is the name of a solar powered phone.

d) Mobile phones are not safe for environment because they generate the e-waste and
consume a lot of energy.

e) (i) It is pedal operated and motor assisted. (ii) It does not create any carbon in any form.
f) Samsung

g) It has a built in pedometer to keep a tab on the carbon dioxide emissions.

h) It can be charged with the help of solar energy.

2. JUST A LITTLE SMILE TOTAL MARKS-12

Objective : To identify the main points of a text
Marking : 8 marks - 2 marks for each correct answer
2.1 Answers :

(a) Mark discovered the boy's name was Bill, that he loved video games, baseball and history
and that he was having lots of trouble with his other subjects and that he had just broken up
with his girlfriend.

(b) Mark was invited by Bill at his home for a Coke and to watch some television. The
afternoon passed pleasantly with a few laughs and some shared small talk.

(c) Bill was carrying all those things as he cleaned out his locker because he didn't want to
leave a mess for anyone else. He had stored away some of his mother's sleeping pills and was
going home to commit suicide.

(d) After spending time with Mark talking and laughing, Bill realized that if he had killed
himself, he would have missed that time and so many others that might follow. In this way,
Mark had saved his life.

2.2 Comprehension
Marking : 2 marks - 1 mark for each correct answer
Answers :
(a) helped the boy pick up the scattered articles.

(b) joined the same high school where they had brief contacts over the years.

2.3 Vocabulary

Marking : 2 marks - 1 mark for each correct answer

Answers :
(a) discovered

(b) pleasantly

SECTION B (WRITING & GRAMMAR) TOTAL MARKS - 30

3. LETTER TO THE EDITOR –AIR POLLUTION MARKS - 8
Objective : To use the given input in a sustained piece of writing
Marking : Content - 4 marks – (the given information in the question paper to be
included)
Format - includes date, subject, addressee and closing
Format to be treated as part of the content
Expression - 2 marks for fluency and 2 marks accuracy to be taken into account
Suggested Value Points:
 Lack of basic health and hygiene
 Drains left open; not cleaned
 Streets waterlogged
 Breeding of mosquitoes
 Drinking water not potable
 May cause epidemic
OR

LETTER TO THE MANAGER –COMPLAINT MARKS - 8

Objective : To use the given input in a sustained piece of writing

Marking : Content - 4 marks – (the given information in the question paper to be
included)
Format - includes date, subject, addressee and closing
Format to be treated as part of the content
Expression - 2 marks for fluency and 2 marks accuracy to be taken into account

Suggested Value Points:

 Promised to send technician; nobody turned up
 Caused inconvenience to me
 Technician came after several days but was ill-mannered
 Was rude and impolite
 Didn’t explain the instructions
 Not to send him again

4. STORY WRITING- 10 MARKS

Objective : To plan, organize and present ideas coherently

MARKING:

RELEVANCE OF CONTENT +CREATIVITY-6 MARKS

FLUENCY-2 MARKS

ACCURACY-2 MARKS

Story completed in any suitable way using the hints provided should be accepted
5. GAP FILLING- 4 MARKS
Objective: To use grammatical items correctly
Marking: 1 mark for each correct answer
Answers:
(a) (iv) are
 (b) (i)to

(c) (ii) and

(d) (i) for

6. ERRORS - 4 marks
Objective: to use grammatical items correctly
Marking: 1 mark for each correct answer
Answers:
Incorrect Correct

a) in with

b) bring brings

c) a an

d) were are

7. REARRANGEMENT OF WORDS- 4 MARKS

Objective: To reorder words/phrases to make grammatically accurate sentences:
To test their knowledge of syntax
Marking: 1 mark for each correct answer. No mark to be awarded for a partially
correct answer.
(a) Creative ideas are both novel and valuable.

(b) They have to be strong enough to withstand criticism.

(c) New ideas take time to take root.

(d) A creative person easily withstands the tide of time.

SECTION C-LITERATURE & LONG READING TEXT (30 MARKS)

General Instructions: This section is meant to test the student’s familiarity with and
appreciation of the set texts. However, if the expression prevents clear communication,
½ a mark may be deducted.

8. Objective: To identify the correct answer on the basis of inference, interpretation

and comprehension.
THE FROG AND THE NIGHTINGALE- 4 MARKS
MARKING: 1 MARK FOR EACH CORRECT ANSWER

(a) The nightingale said “This is a fairy tale” as she was unable to believe that a well-
known singer and music critic like the frog was ready to teach her.
 (b) The nightingale has great respect for the frog.
(c) Metaphor
(d) In these lines, the mention of ‘Mozart’ only shows that the nightingale held the frog
in high esteem.
OR
THE LETTER- 4 MARKS
MARKING SCHEME- 1 MARK FOR EACH CORRECT ANSWER
(a) The postmen called out Ali’s name to tease him and just to see him jump.
(b) Ali went away empty-handed as there was no letter for him.
(c) Ali had visited the post-office every day for five years even though he had not
received any letter. This shows his infinite patience. Any other man would have
stopped going to the post-office.
(d) Yes, Ali’s letter from his daughter, Miriam did arrive, but only after he had died.

9. Objective : To test the ability to infer and evaluate

Marking : 2 marks for each correct answer

(a) SNAKE- 2 MARKS

The snake didn’t thank the poet after drinking water as it felt that it had as much right as
any man to drink water from the trough. Water is a natural resource and is common to
all.

(b) A SHADY PLOT- 2 MARKS

All the ghosts were on strike as they were called out of their beds too often by the
Ouija board fanatics. Hence, they were continuously exhausted and demanded that
people must give up the Ouija boards.

(c) THE DEAR DEPARTED- 2 MARKS

Grandfather Abel announced that he will go and marry the widow of John
Shorrocks, who runs the ‘Ring-O-Bells’ on Monday. This was the final blow to the
family who were all taken aback by this decision. The grandfather did so because he
wanted to make his daughters’ realise the disrespect and the embarrassment that he
had gone through.

(d) PATOL BABU, FILM STAR- 2 MARKS

 Baren Mullick turned down Patol Babu’s request for a rehearsal because he didn’t
have much time for it. He wanted to finish shooting that particular scene as soon as
possible as the scene could only be shot in sunlight and there was every likelihood
of the sun going behind the clouds.

10. Answer any one in 80 – 100 words: TOTAL MARKS – 8

Objective : To help students relate the values in the text to their own lives and
understand their importance

Marking : Content - 4marks

Expression – 4 marks

JULIUS CAESAR

Suggested value Points:

 Brutus, a dear friend of Caesar

 Cassius convinced Brutus

 Brutus agreed to assassinate

 Caesar was brave

 Ways harsh but cried for Romans

 Gave benefits in will

Any other relevant point may be awarded marks

OR

PATOL BABU, FILM STAR

Suggested value points:
 Patol won Directors’ admiration
 Overcame initial disappointment
 Repeatedly rehearsed
 Added special touches
 Emoted the scene with sincerity
LONG READING TEXT (NOVELS)
11. Answer any one in 200-250 words TOTAL MARKS- 10
Objective : To understand and relate to the prescribed text and be able to make an
analysis of events and characters.
Marking :
Content : 5 marks
Expression : 5 marks
Answers :
Mischievous pranks of Helen
 Bundle of joy, fun, anger and emotions
 Learnt how to use a key
 Locked mother and teacher
 Helen threw apron in fire
 Mischievous prankster
OR
Benefits to Helen when Dr Graham Bell accompanied her to the World Fair

 Helen visited The Chicago World’s Fair

 Felt glories of the Fair
 Cape of Good Hope exhibit
 Dr Graham Bell described the scientific principles
 Visited the electric building

Any other relevant point may be awarded marks